Gym Week: Days 2 and 3

I feel like I should apologies for the lack of pictures in this blog; but I’ll be honest, I’ve been so busy sweating and straining whilst in the gym that it keeps slipping my mind. But that’s kind of the point, right? I’ll be putting together a video clip shortly though, so all is not lost if you don’t like reading things.

Anyway – on with the pain. Tuesday evening I had my induction to the gym proper, followed by a personal training (PT) session to put together a routine tailored to my needs. The induction was fairly quick – as I’ve used gyms before in the past I already knew how to use a lot of the equipment, with just a few of the fancier machines being new to me. My trainer Alex (who was great) made sure I was happy with everything before progressing, and stressed that if there was anything I wasn’t sure about, or if I wanted to adjust my routine then I could always either talk to whoever was on duty in the gym or book another PT session.

I had some fairly vague aims for my programme, and Alex was really good at tailoring a three day rotation to accommodate this whilst making suggestions for a more balanced plan. I felt that if I’d had more specific goals then he would have been able to help me with this too. He took into account my personal preferences (I get bored really quickly, especially on cardio machines, and prefer a shorter workout) and I’m more than happy with the results.

As mentioned I’m on a three day rotation, with each day having a similar warm up – main sets – cool down routine that takes about an hour, which suits me. Warm up is a different mixture of cardio machines plus band stretches each day, then each the first part of each main session concentrates on a different area – day one and two are a mix of upper body and core whilst day three focuses on legs. I then have a slightly varied mix of core exercises each day, followed by intense cardio intervals and cool down stretches.

So on Wednesday morning I got out of bed a little bit early and headed over to the gym for my first session. I like pre-work workouts as I get a 20 minute walk to help warm up a little bit and the gym is always nice and quiet – not that I’ve struggled with it being over full at all so far. I’m aiming to train Monday, Wednesday, Friday, so to make things complicated I started with day two, which has some nice chest exercises.

Initial warm up was 5 minutes on the rower, which is about as much as I can manage before boredom kicks in. I started off gently then ramped it up with some mini-intervals in the middle, then eased off towards the end. The rowing machines (and a lot of the Life Fitness machines) actually use water for resistance, which looks really cool and kept me entertained for a little bit as I watched it slosh around. I then moved on to some band stretches which are brilliant – there’s a vast amount you can do with the bands, and you can really feel your muscles starting to work.

Next up was some weight based training. I started off with hammer curls with dumbells, then onto lat pull downs and rows. My upper body strength is definitely not what it used to be and I’m looking forward to working my way up the weights and building up a bit more power. When I told Alex that cycling was my main sport he tried to pick exercises that would compliment this and I definitely feel like the stronger core and upper body will make a big difference, especially when descending fast over rocks and powering uphill.

Probably the hardest bit of the session for me – as I expected – was the core workout that came next. I know that core strength is something that I need to work on, and I knew it was going to hurt – and boy, was I right! A series of floor exercises to work my core muscles left me aching and tired, but also satisfied that I’ve started along an important journey.

I used a machine new to me – the stepper – for a quick bit of cardio before some cool down stretches and down to the showers. The whole workout took around an hour but actually felt much quicker as I was zipping from station to station and never doing any one thing for too long. I’m really impressed with the routine that Alex has put together for me, and I’m looking forward (slightly apprehensively) to trying out leg day on Friday.

I’ve barely scratched the surface of the equipment available in the gym, and I reckon it’s going to take me a good while to get used to everything that’s there. The standard of equipment is extremely high, the Life Fitness kit is pretty amazing and will do some very clever stuff with your smartphone if you so wish. It also includes Netflix, which for longer sessions is an absolute godsend!

Tomorrow I have a Fat Blast class at lunchtime because I could certainly stand to lose a bit of timber around my waist. I’ve no idea what Fat Blast is other than it’s high intensity intervals designed to build muscle mass and burn fat, so it’ll be fun (and probably painful) finding out!

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GIAG Price only £6
Rich in ancient history, romantic ambience and fun activities, York is the perfect day trip destination to get away and see something new. Renowned for its exquisite

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GIAG Price only £6

Rich in ancient history, romantic ambience and fun activities, York is the perfect day trip destination to get away and see something new. Renowned for its exquisite architecture, tangle of quaint cobbled streets, iconic York Minster and wealth of visitor attractions, York is a flourishing city, with great shopping opportunities and a host of delicious places to eat.

Delve into the city’s vibrant café culture, take time out to enjoy some of the country’s most talented street entertainers or simply watch the world go by while sipping a drink by the river.

Visitors to York can enjoy hundreds of attractions, museums, historic buildings, tours, shops, restaurants and bars within the compact walled city.

Suggestions of things to do include York Minster, National Railways Museum, York Dungeons, Clifford’s Tower, York Castle Museum, Henry VII Experience at Micklegate Bar, the York Chocolate Experience, Yorkshire Museum, York has excellent shopping and eating. Look on Trip Advisor or individual attraction websites for more information. All activities in York may incur an additional charge and are to be organised by the student as an individual.

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Return coach transport is provided for this event.

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Your Union endeavours to make all activities accessible to all wherever possible, however please contact the Student Activities Co-ordinator on (01482) 466297 if you have any specific access requirements or questions about access to this event. chloe.birr-pixton@hull.ac.uk

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After coming runner-up on the seventh series of UK’s The X Factor, Rebecca Ferguson has not been short of success since her first appearance on the reality TV show in

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After coming runner-up on the seventh series of UK’s The X Factor, Rebecca Ferguson has not been short of success since her first appearance on the reality TV show in 2010. Having co-written her record-breaking debut album Heaven, and going on to release a further three follow-ups, Rebecca has proven herself to be a recording artist with a passion for her craft that is second to none.

Released in 2011, Heaven, was a critical and commercial success selling 128,000 copies in its first week and peaked at No. 3 in the UK Official Charts, making her the fastest-selling debut solo artist of the past decade (2007-2017).

Going on to release her strong debut follow up, Freedom, in 2013, and then her third studio album Lady Sings The Blues (covering a number of jazz classics made famous by Billie Holiday), Rebecca shows off her versatile style with ease.

Having released her fourth album Superwoman last year, Rebecca has come a long way from the shy twenty-something audiences first saw on television 7 years ago.

Continuing to flourish as a confident songwriter and stunning live performer, embarking on countless tours across the UK, Europe and US, this working-class girl from Liverpool has no plans on stopping anytime soon.

GIAG Tickets only £5 – Matinee performance at 2.30pm

A stunning multi-media show with a powerful rock band, classical string quartet, film projection and live storytelling, that tells the story of music legend Mick Ronson – the Spider from Hull.

Written by Garry Burnett and Made in Hull writer Rupert Creed, Turn and Face the Strange takes you on an audio-visual journey through the life and music of one of Hull’s creative pioneers. Featuring musicians who played alongside David Bowie and Mick Ronson, it charts the rise of the lad from Greatfield Estate who became an international guitar virtuoso and celebrated album producer.

One of the highlights of the Hull 2017 programme returns, so don’t miss it.

Booking and Tickets

Book in advance here or in person from HUU reception Mon – Fri 10am – 4pm. Tickets on sale until either sell out or 12pm Wednesday 21st February 2018.

Tickets are only available to all registered Hull University Students. You will need a physical ticket for this event and these can be collected from HUU reception if you buy online.

The cost of this trip is subsidised by the students’ union by up to 50% using any profits from our commercial offering, so every time you shop in Spar, buy a coffee, pizza or sandwich from EATS or SANC or visit Asylum you are supporting the Give it a Go programme of events. We are a not for profit organisation re-investing all of our profit into services and opportunities for University of Hull students.

TRANSPORT:

There is no transport provided for this Give it a Go, but Hull Truck Theatre is located in Hull City Centre next to St Stephens and the main transport interchange.

Access

Your Union endeavours to make all activities accessible to all wherever possible, however please contact Chloe, Student Activities Co-ordinator on 01482 466297 if you have any specific access requirements or questions about access to this event. chloe.birr-pixton@hull.ac.uk

Time

(Wednesday) 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Location

Hull Truck Theatre

50 Ferensway, Hull, HU2 8LB

Organizer

Give It A Gohuu-giag@hull.ac.ukHull University Union, Student Central, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX

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No Need to book - Just turn up and Play! Only £1.80! Netball is an exciting, fast and skillful game of fair contest. The team with the ball, through running, jumping, throwing and

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No Need to book – Just turn up and Play!

Only £1.80!

Netball is an exciting, fast and skillful game of fair contest.

The team with the ball, through running, jumping, throwing and catching, attempts to move the ball into its goal circle from where a goal may be scored, while the opposing team uses defensive movements and strategies to prevent this and to gain possession.

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Amazing value Comedy at Hull City Hall Only £11.50! (Actual Ticket Price £23.00) Show starts 7.30pm Following a long and successful career as a comedy writer and stand up comedian, and most recently four years

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Event Details

Amazing value Comedy at Hull City Hall

Only £11.50! (Actual Ticket Price £23.00)

Show starts 7.30pm

Following a long and successful career as a comedy writer and stand up comedian, and most recently four years writing and performing his TV show Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle, Content Provider is Stewart’s first brand new full-length show since the award-winning Carpet Remnant World. Don’t miss the opportunity to see one of the UK’s most talented observational comics on his only tour date in Hull.

“The most consistently funny show of his brilliant career … I laughed till it hurt.” ***** The Times,

“The delusional ravings of a man who has lost his way in the world” ***** Mail on Sunday

Age guidance: 16+ Show duration: approx 1 hour 50 mins plus interval

Tickets

Booking and Tickets

Book in advance online by clicking the link below or in person from HUU reception Mon – Fri 10am – 4pm. Tickets on sale until either sell out or 12pm Wednesday 21st March 2018.

Tickets are only available to all registered Hull University Students. You will need a physical ticket for this event and these can be collected from HUU reception if you buy online.

The cost of this trip is subsidised by the students’ union by up to 50% using any profits from our commercial offering, so every time you shop in Spar, buy a coffee, pizza or sandwich from EATS or SANC or visit Asylum you are supporting the Give it a Go programme of events. We are a not for profit organisation re-investing all of our profit into services and opportunities for University of Hull students.

TRANSPORT:

There is no transport provided for this Give it a Go, but Hull City Hall is located in Hull City Centre in Queen Victoria Square and is a short walk from the main transport interchange.

Access

Your Union endeavours to make all activities accessible to all wherever possible, however please contact Chloe, Student Activities Co-ordinator on 01482 466297 if you have any specific access requirements or questions about access to this event. chloe.birr-pixton@hull.ac.uk

Time

(Wednesday) 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Location

Hull City Hall

Hull, HU1 3RQ

Organizer

Give It A Gohuu-giag@hull.ac.ukHull University Union, Student Central, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX

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